Six Bean Salad

Someone always brings a bean salad to a potluck. It's just one of those dishes that always makes its way onto the community table. Admittedly, I always avoided the bean salad. It just didn't seem all that appealing. BUT! I have recently been trying to add more proein and fiber into my diet, and beans really do fill that prerequisite quite nicely. Add the fact that this recipe is as easy as a opening a can of beans, and well...

Sundried Tomato Dressing (Dip and Spread)

Been doing a lot of walking and hiking as of late. Sometimes for 10 miles or more. Walking around for over four hours, your mind starts to wander.  Some of the places my mind wanders to... 

...what a wild time we are living through right now 

...how scared some of my fellow angelenos must be 

...binaural beats and telepathy 

...Denny's new vegan pancakes 

...delicious blue cheese wedge salads and grilled cheese sandwiches 

Well, I was able to put that last one into reality. I whipped up a multi-use sun-dried tomato sauce and used it in this wedge along with the classic iceberg, chopped apples, chopped almonds,  Follow Your Heart blue cheese crumbles, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Then I used it on a grilled cheese on sourdough with sliced apples and more blue cheese. At least I solved one of the world's problems.  

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

This one is a great dish for potlucks and make-ahead meals for the week as it seems to only get better in the fridge! And, hear me out, I think it tastes like pizza! 

Creamy Basil and Herb Sauce (Dip, Spread, and Dressing)

Lately, I have been really leaning into getting a bigger nutritional punch from my foods. Trying to up the protein and fiber without sacrificing flavor. I am also focusing on recipes that have multiple uses, so I can make a big batch and then use it in different ways throughout the week. This one really fits the bill. This rich, savory sauce is great in pasta (hot or cold), as a dip, on a grain bowl, a spread for wraps and sandwiches, and as a salad dressing. And each tablespoon has 2+ grams of protein...and y'all know I won't stop at 1 tablespoon. Ha!